New Delhi: The uncertainty surrounding the name of Delhi's next Chief Minister is set to persist for a few more days, as hinted by Delhi BJP President Virender Sachdeva on Saturday. “We will be sharing the good news in a day or two,” he stated.

Sachdeva’s remarks coincided with the defection of three Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillors to the BJP, ahead of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) mayoral election in April. The BJP sees this as an opportunity to regain control of the civic body, which AAP had won by a narrow margin of three votes in the last election.

The BJP leader explained that the Chief Minister's appointment would follow the selection of two central party observers, who will chair the BJP Legislature Party meeting to elect a Leader of the House.

Sachdeva dismissed concerns about any delay, stating, “Usually, such an exercise takes 7-8 days, and I don’t think that the matter has been delayed.” Speculation within the party suggests that February 19 is being considered for the new government's oath-taking ceremony at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

Discussions within BJP circles have intensified over the composition of the seven-member Cabinet, including the Chief Minister. The party is expected to ensure representation for various communities, including Jat, Vaishya, Dalit, Punjabi, and Purvanchali groups, while maintaining a balance between experienced and young leaders.

Control of the MCD
Welcoming AAP councillors Anita Basoya (Andrews Ganj), Nikhil Chaprana (Hari Nagar), and Dharamvir (R K Puram) into the party, Sachdeva hinted at a possible shake-up in the MCD.

“Earlier, the slogan was double-engine sarkar. Nowadays, the demand is for triple-engine sarkar,” he said, referring to the BJP’s ambition to control the Centre, Assembly, and MCD.

With the AAP holding 112 seats and the BJP 110 in the civic body before a dozen councillors were elected to the Delhi Assembly, the defection of AAP members strengthens the BJP’s position ahead of the mayoral elections.

With IANS inputs